The snow conditions were looking very poor in Chamonix with the endless sunshine in the Alps. The Atlantic frontal systems that should have been delivering frequent snow storms were being concentrated in to torrential rain over the north west of England. However, it still seemed like a better option than watching that endless rain in Cumbria…

Rock Climbing

Oddly for the time of year our first day out wasn’t the seasonally normal activity of finding our ski-legs – we went rock climbing!

Sport climbing at Malsaire

Celebrations

What an awesome way to enjoy some of the Xmas dinner left-overs – turkey, gammon, and leek pie. Thanks Paul Hollywood!Zac getting ready for the traditional Chamonix New Year madnessLaetitia and Pete out in Chamonix centre seeing in the New YearChamonix’s casino and some fireworks overhead – despite fireworks having been banned due to poor air quality trapped in the valley by the endless high pressure weatherThe traditional madness that is Chamonix on New Year’s eve – champagne sprays, (banned) fireworks, hundreds of people, etc.

Skiing

After the New Year eve’s light snow we enjoyed a day of skiing at Grand Montets with slightly improved snow cover – still only a few runs were open and nothing down to valley level thoughLaetitia trying to re-warm her feet at the Logan lift station at Grand Montets